Page 51 of The Elven Spymaster's Thief

“Political persuasion.”

Illeron snorted. “We have none. These particular warlords answer to no one and believe that they depend on no one.”

“Force?” Chislon asked hesitantly.

“Are you proposing we declare war on the two warlords to stop them from inciting conflict with the woodwose?”

“That wouldn’t make sense.” Chislon ran a hand through his hair, standing the pale straight strands on end.

“Which is my whole point. For now, I am planning on recommending we watch, wait, and support the woodwose as best we can. Now is not the time to step in. However—” Illeron raised a hand to cut off Chislon’s efforts to retort. “However, I am not saying we don’t take decisive action later when we can affect greater change in the situation than now.”

Chislon pulled his mouth tight, obviously resisting the temptation to disagree. But when Illeron assigned him the task of writing the recommendation out, he worked just as swiftly and efficiently as usual.

The two of them were debating the exact wording when one of the Seelie King’s gates opened in the middle of the study. But instead of the Seelie King, someone much smaller stepped through the light effused opening. The woman only came to Illeron’s waist when he stood to his feet to greet her. Her brown skin glowed with health. Dressed all in green and covered in ivy, including a growth of moss in her hair, she had an otherworld appearance. I had never met one of her kind before.

Illeron bowed to her. “Mistress Mingina, to what do I owe the pleasure.”

“No pleasure.” She produced a piece of bark from beneath her ivy-covered clothing. “King requests your presence immediately.”

“Now?”

“I said immediately, didn’t I?” She scanned the room and spotted me. “Didn’t I?” she asked me.

“You did.”

“Then we will come with haste. Let me—”

Chislon was already disappearing documents from the table.

The Mistress Mingina’s features tightened into a scowl of displeasure. “Now!”

“Odon!” Illeron called.

The shadow elf stepped out of the shadow behind the drapes and bowed.

“Protect her with your life,” Illeron ordered as he adjusted the magic around the edges of the room. I could feel the wards tightening around the palace and especially on the perimeter of the study. “Avril?”

“Yes?” I stood. “Can’t I go with you?”

“Humans can’t walk the paths of the Seelie without being altered forever.” He drew close, settling his hands on my shoulders. “I dare not take you with me. Odon will protect you until I return.” He rested his forehead against mine with his eyes closed. “Don’t do anything foolish,” he whispered.

“I won’t. Well not intentionally, that is.”

He laughed softly, kissed my forehead, and then left, calling for Chislon to follow him. The three of them disappeared through the portal. Then with a sharp snap, the room was suddenly very empty.

“Shall we go find lunch?” I asked my keeper.

Odon smiled warmly. “Lead the way.”

∞∞∞

Illeron

Mistress Mingina glared at my new assistant as we prepared to exit the Seelie Realm after meeting with the king. The whole realm resonated with the occupants’ grief. Their king was compelled to ride in the Wild Hunt until he could find a way to break the curse.

"Please assure the Seelie King we will do all we can to research his curse. There must be a way to break it. By their nature, curses are meant to be broken."

Mistress Mingina pursed her lips. "As you have said before." Her dark eyes flashed as she glanced at Chislon. "However, not all elves are trustworthy."

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